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Charlene van Niekerk

@charlenevanniekerk

Product & Innovation Manager at Human8 who led an AI-powered moderation solution and launched a research community mobile app.

South Africa

Message

At Human8, I lead digital product initiatives from discovery and requirements definition through testing, launch and adoption. I work with product teams, developers, consultants and stakeholders to turn user needs into platform solutions.

I led development of a fully automated AI-powered moderation solution for online community research. I also led development and launch of the Human8 research community mobile app in app stores.

As Head of Creative Crowdsourcing Solution at Human8, I lead the global eÿeka creative ecosystem and its solution direction, client delivery and commercial performance. The network includes approximately 380,000 creatives across 167 countries.

Before Human8, I developed digital research and online community solutions at Consulta, including a bespoke Voice of Customer proposition for financial-services organisations. Earlier, I managed research projects and communities from scoping and methodology design through analysis, reporting and implementation.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Product & Innovation Manager

Current

Human8

Jan 2024 - Present (2 years 9 months)

Lead discovery, development, and implementation of digital products supporting research, consulting, operations, and client delivery. Manage product backlogs, user stories, and sprint progress using Azure DevOps, and lead AI product integration and automation initiatives.

Product Management Product Strategy Discovery Prioritization User Research UI UX Design Figma Azure DevOps AI Products Workflow Automation Cross functional Delivery Product Launch Adoption Voice Of Customer User Feedback Optimization Stakeholder Management

Current

Head of Creative Crowdsourcing

Current

Human8

Jan 2022 - Present (4 years 9 months)

Own and lead Human8's global Creative Crowdsourcing solution, including the eÿeka creator network of approximately 380,000 creatives across 167 countries. Responsible for strategic direction, commercial performance, proposition development, client relationships, global network growth, and delivery across APAC, EMEA, and the Americas.

Solution Leadership Business Development Commercial Leadership Client Delivery Global Network Management Team Management Proposition Development Strategic Partnerships Project Management Customer Relationship Management

Joint Lecturer | Customer Experience Management

University of Pretoria

Jan 2018 - Dec 2022 (4 years 11 months)

Delivered short courses on Customer Experience Management at the University of Pretoria's Continuing Education unit.

Customer Experience Management Teaching Curriculum Delivery

Head of Community Solutions

Consulta

Jan 2018 - Dec 2021 (3 years 11 months)

Provided strategic leadership for Consulta's Community Solutions business and served on the management committee. Led the strategic direction and ongoing development of the Community Solutions offering, developed new value propositions, and managed key client relationships and major programmes.

Strategic Leadership Business Development Client Management Team Leadership Digital Research Online Communities Value Proposition Development ESOMAR Principles POPIA Compliance Project Management

Project Director & Community Manager

Consulta

Sep 2015 - Dec 2018 (3 years 3 months)

Managed end-to-end market research projects and online research communities across multiple industries. Designed quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, managed project plans, budgets, and resources, and developed client relationships to support repeat business.